<p>Michael Jackson was a tragic figure in many ways. He was abused and exploited as a child (his father is reputed to have been a violent SOB, and music industry executives, for the most part, only saw dollar signs where he was concerned), he never experienced a real childhood, his innocence having been taken from him at a very early age, and he never once seemed truly happy or at peace. It’s obvious that he suffered from deeply rooted psychological problems, and by the end of his life, he seemed irreparably damaged. Certainly, he looked ghoulish in his latter years—I suspect his outward appearance only mirrored his inward state. And even though it was never “proved”, I also believe that it’s quite probable that he had sexually inappropriate contact with at least some of the boys he entertained at his ranch. Perhaps it’s possible that his children will now have a shot at something resembling a normal life. One can only hope.</p>
<p>But there’s no doubt in the world that he was a tremendous talent, a spectacular entertainer, and the music world has been forever changed as a result of the stamp he left upon it.</p>
<p>I’m really disappointed he wasn’t able to come back with his London tour. That could have been the thing he needed to shut up his critics. No matter what he did with his life, I hope everyone remembers his extreme cultural influence in several areas of the music industry. This is a sad loss but his iconic status will hopefully overshadow anything negative. They were playing his music on the radio today and it was so much better than what they would have been playing instead. I didn’t listen to his music significantly until this decade but anything he put out far surpasses what 99% of artists are putting out right now.</p>
<p>It’s amazing to me how mean-spirited some people can be. We knew that the nasty comments were bound to come with news of his death and they are <em>everywhere</em>. The man had not even been pronounced dead for an hour or so before Fox News began their let’s-trash-Michael campaign. Unbelievable (as well as unfeeling) – but not surprising.</p>
<p>Anyway, I have followed the Jackson 5 and Michael since they came onto the scene when I was 7 years old. Someone else here said it best, he seemingly was a tortured soul, and he undoubedtly had some major issues. When all is said and done, however, no one can negate or marginalize his talent and his impact on the world. I was touched by his music and I am extremely saddened for his family. I pray that his soul is finally at peace. There will never be another.</p>
<p>My Ds are 16 and 13 - both dancers - and both are very upset. Last night we watched a DVD of his top videos (there’s got to be a better way to say that.) My Ds know those videos better than I do. Beat It, Billy Jean, Thriller…such sex appeal. Then you get to the Bad and Black and White stage…at that point he looked just like Janet and I realized that I felt like a lesbian being attracted to him who looked like a her. But fantaastic work, great moves.</p>
<p>Thiller is so iconic…when I was thinking about when my family has done those moves…D16, dance company dance a few years back; D16 and Husband, dance company dad’s dance last year (it’s on You Tube); d13, cheer dance last fall. And at one of the HS pep rallies, it was the Teacher’s Dance.</p>
<p>remembering him from my teenage days…“Ben” was a hit…and played at the school dances. he and Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy …were all very popular in those years. is bobby still alive ? seems like i don’t hear anything about him. i think starsky and hutch were big then, too, if i remember right.</p>
<p>i agree…a huge week in the news. i don’t even usually follow this stuff…but it’s all over the place ! is it a full moon ?</p>
<p>i really hope his children are provided for. much on the news today about the financial mess.</p>
<p>Don’t forget Donny Osmond! Donny, Michael Jackson and I are all “of an age”. We all would have been 7th graders together, had the two of them gone to 7th grade instead of being pop stars!</p>
<p>I value life above all things and I find it tremendously sad that this man lived such a miserable and unhappy life. We know that abused, neglected and exploited children can turn to bad behavior in later life and I think that’s true here. With the life Mr. Jackson lived, I can’t imagine there was any hope for him becoming a well-adjusted and healthy adult. On a personal level, I think the abuse of any child is heartbreaking and I don’t think we can seriously say that he wasn’t abused. That doesn’t excuse the fact that he probably did molest children, but when he was, himself, abused and no one helped him, I’m not sure it’s all his fault. In any case, he was tremendously talented and I remember the Tiger Beat posters and lunch box very fondly and I find the waste of such talent to be a crying shame, and any life that is lived and died so sadly to be a tragedy. Famous or not. I hope he is at peace now.</p>
<p>Very well said, Zoosermom. I was very saddened to learn of his early death, but the real tragedy is that his tremendous talent was wasted due to the eccentric way in which he conducted much of his adult life. “Eccentric” is probably not a strong enough word of course, given the multiple allegations of pedophilia. </p>
<p>I couldn’t help but cry when I went to youtube and watched a clip of the Jackson 5 performing “I’ll Be There.” He must have been 11 or so–what a voice and stage presence. It’s unimaginable how any parent could be physically abusive to any child, but the account of his father’s cruelty that I read on Wikipedia was heartbreaking. What is remarkable, I guess, is that his talent was such that most of the world is mourning the loss of his brilliance instead of focusing on the freakish and mysterious later life. </p>
<p>I didn’t have the lunch box, but I had the Jackson 5 album with “Abc”–if only I’d saved it!</p>
<p>Bobby Sherman became a reserve officer with the LAPD, involved with medical issues. I read an article about him in the LA Times years ago. I was quite impressed. The article mentioned that he donated his salary to charity. Unlike so many, he invested his money from his entertaining career wisely.</p>
<p>“That doesn’t excuse the fact that he probably did molest children, but when he was, himself, abused and no one helped him, I’m not sure it’s all his fault.”</p>
<p>And that’s true of many if not most people who sexually, emotionally or physically abuse children. Most were abused themselves as kids. An explanation for their behavior doesn’t excuse their behavior, but does indicate that they as well as their victims and perpetrators deserve compassion and help.</p>
<p>I also read a quote by Michael Jackson that he allowed his kids to sleep with adults. I suspect that his kids have been sexually abused by others. It is too bad that the price of Michael Jackson’s fame was not only his not having a chldhood, but his not getting the psychological help that he needed. I hope his kids, who sadly due to their father’s eccentric parenting, are motherless, will get the help they need now, but unfortunately, due to the apparent dysfunctionality of his family, I think it’s doubtful that they will. I wonder who’ll get custody.</p>
<p>Some people can be guilty of very poor judgment without being guilty of a crime. I knew a guy who, in his 20s, was involved with the Big Brother Big Sister program. He lived alone and was “fired” as Big Brother after his little brother spent the night at his apartment, just the two of them. Nothing “happened” but my friend was a huge idiot. That was about 25 years ago. If it happened now, my friend might have been prosecuted.</p>